The dark ages Your news section recently carried an article headlined 'All firms cry out to hire young corporate lawyers (see [2000] Gazette, 16 November, 5).

If this had read 'All firms cry out to hire white corporate lawyers or 'male corporate lawyers' there would be an outcry.

Although the profession has sought to overcome racism and sexism, ageism is rife and goes largely unchallenged.

Many turn to the profession later in life: women seek to return after a career break looking after children; others join after some years practice in another jurisdiction.

The City gives the impression that it is not interested in corporate lawyers with two to four years post-qualification experience when they are older than 35.

What chance then for the over 45s or even over 50s? There is little evidence that firms operating an equal opportunities policy consider the criterion of ageism.

Ageism is no more attractive than other forms of prejudice such as racism and sexism.

Should there be sympathy for a recruitment crisis in a profession that routinely judges not on merit but arbitrarily on bith date?Veronica Bailey, solicitor, Bentworth, Hampshire